£2.7m plan to breathe new life into city shops
HISTORIC FRONTAGES WILL BE RESTORED TO FORMER GLORY
NOTTINGHAM residents remain hopeful the multi-million pound restoration of historic shopfronts will bring businesses back to life after the coronavirus pandemic and instil a sense of pride in their city once again.
The transformation of numerous shop fronts in Market Street is part of the Nottingham Heritage Action Zone scheme, supported by Historic England, which aims to breathe new life into the city.
During the five-year project a total of £2.7 million will be invested in four shopfronts in Market Street as well as ten in Wheeler Gate.
Hoardings have now been put up on two more shops in Market Street, marking the continuation of the restoration work which has already seen a restaurant completely transformed.
Only the names of businesses have changed since Market Street was widened in 1865, making it one of the best places to admire some of the city’s best architecture.
Lucy Bird, a teacher from St Ann’s who was in Market Street with twoyear-old son, Archie, said the scheme was a huge step in the right direction for Nottingham.
She said: “It all looks a bit neglected and sad. For visitors it is going to be so important in the future because first impressions count.
“It will make me more proud as a resident. I always say it is a great place to come but not if everything is looking run down.
“I’m positive about getting people back into the city. I would hate for it to go online-only.
“Places like Sneinton Market are a wonderful thing, it reminds me of London, with an amazing vibe and I hope that spreads.”
The restoration of shop frontages comes as a time when more and more businesses have closed down, particularly in nearby Lister Gate, which some residents recently described as looking “war-torn”.
Old drawings and original architectural documents will be used to restore shop frontages to their former glory, complete with “stunning historic features”, the city council says.
Market Street was, at one point,
going to be named Theatre Street after the Theatre Royal - and has been home to numerous wellknown city businesses in the years since.
These included Barnetts Men’s Shop in the 1980s as well as tobacconist Josiah Brown in the late 19th Century.
Alan Spafford, who has lived in Calverton for the past 20 years and regularly visited the city before the pandemic, said it had started to look “lonely and drab”.
He welcomed the scheme, saying: “It needs doing. Since the last time I came in to the city there have been a lot of changes, and a lot of closures.
“It is a nice city but you do not want to see boarded-up windows and you want things open, this does not encourage people to come in, so this well help.”
Jo Hayes, a former barber who had to quit her job due to the pandemic and start working as a support worker, added: “It is quite sad seeing buildings left like this.
“So it is nice to see. It is nice that it is in-keeping with the history and heritage. The architecture is lovely.”
The scheme, revealed in September last year, aims to restore the city’s “at-risk” conservation areas and thus boost its economy.
Certain stand-out features will include traditional hardwood frontages with hand-painted signage.
The four buildings on Market Street set for restoration are 9, 15, 21 and 32.
Two are existing businesses, Page 45 and the Dental Care Centre, and the other two are currently vacant and will be brought back into use with new tenants.
Councillor Linda Woodings, portfolio holder for planning, housing and heritage, said: “Schemes like The Heritage Action Zone are really important in helping owners restore and protect their historic buildings, which otherwise might be lost.
“Nottingham is proud of its past and ambitious for its future, and supported mainly with grants from Historic England, along with some investment from the council and building owners, shows a real commitment to the city’s heritage, helping to bring historic buildings back to life so they become an asset for the city’s economy once again.
“These schemes alongside projects like the transformation of Nottingham Castle, not only help to protect the city’s character, but can lead to further investment, boost tourism and create jobs.”
Speaking of the work in Market Street, councillor Sam Webster added: “These hoardings on Market Street signal that heritage restoration is under way for these beautiful buildings. Looking forward to the end result.”